Worker rescued high outside skyscraper

You're not going anywhere fast when you're stuck more than 20 floors up a high rise building.

A workman was stuck outside the 28th floor of a Southbank skyscraper for nine hours on Thursday.

Metropolitan Fire Brigade's rope rescue specialists saved the day at 4.30pm when they abseiled down from the 42nd floor of the building, which is under construction, on the corner of Queensbridge and Power streets.

MFB spokeswoman Meg Rayner said the rescuers then had to lower the workman a further 10 floors where he was pulled back into the building unharmed.

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"The crews have experienced significantly strong winds, so it would've been quite a frightening experience for him," Ms Rayner said.

It was initially thought the workman had been suspended on the gantry, similar to what window washers use, for just over an hour.

However Ms Rayner said construction staff initially tried to fix the gantry after it failed mechanically at 11am, but were forced to call the MFB about 3pm after their efforts failed.